Was Willis McGahee's ability to pass block any factor in his release? I remember hearing that Knowshon Moreno was very good at picking up blockers but never heard much about McGahee's abilities. Could that be part of the thinking in releasing McGahee instead of Knowshon?-- John Kindred, Columbia, S.C.

John - For the most part, McGahee was a good pass protector. He did occasionally space out his assignment. When a tailback goes this way after Peyton Manning checks his protection and expects his back to go that way, the results aren't pretty. Either for Manning or the back drawing the wrath of Manning.

But when McGahee threw his block, he was more effective at 235 pounds than Moreno was at 200. Moreno does have a little more "want-to" in the pass-protection department. He's also a better receiver than McGahee.

Moreno, who turns 26 in two weeks, is also six years younger than McGahee and $800,000 cheaper ($1.7 million compared to the $2.5 million McGahee was scheduled to make).

Plus, Moreno was a better fit with the Broncos' young tailback duo of Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. The Broncos want Ball and Hillman to get most of the carries this year. Moreno is an ideal "third down" back because of his receiving and pass-protecting abilities. McGahee was not going to accept a "third down" role. Nor was it going to be offered. Remember, the Broncos generally pulled McGahee on third down because he wasn't much of a receiver.

Mike - Why is it that when discussing our ongoing lack of success at running the ball, there is never any mention of the offensive line.

The Broncos intend to hand the ball off most often to second-year running back Ronnie Hillman, left, and rookie running back Montee Ball. "The running game is the Broncos' primary offensive issue entering 2013," says The Post's Mike Klis. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

They are certainly part of this equation. Is this why they are continuing to beef up the front line and are bringing Alex Gibbs into the picture? Thanks!-- Ron L., Denver

Ron - Whenever the Broncos' running game struggles, the offensive line is generally given a pass because of its performance during the 2011 season with Tim Tebow.

Let's look at the sample size from 2011-2012, when the offensive line generally consisted of Ryan Clady, Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton, Chris Kuper and Orlando Franklin, give or take.

When Kyle Orton was the Broncos' quarterback through the first five games of 2011, there wasn't much running game. Tebow started the final 11 games, and the Broncos finished No. 1 in rushing for the season.

Peyton Manning becomes the Broncos' quarterback in 2012, and the team drops to 16th in rushing.

I look at that data and conclude it's not the offensive line but the quarterback. More specifically, it's about how the offense is planned around the quarterback.

There are only so many yards out there. The Broncos ranked fifth in passing, and fourth in total offense last year. Given the offense operates around Manning's arm and his talented group of pass catchers, I think the Broncos ran the ball well last season. McGahee was on pace for 1,200 yards before going down early in the second quarter of his 10th game. Moreno went from street clothes to gaining 510 yards over his final six games — a pace of 1,360 yards over a 16-game season.

Still, the offensive line's ability to run block this year is a concern because Clady is coming off labrum surgery on his right, or inside, shoulder. Center J.D. Walton will be out at least the first half of the season with an ankle injury. And new right guard Louis Vasquez — while a sturdy anchor in pass protection — isn't as nimble as Kuper in the running game.

Mix in the relatively untested tailback duo of Hillman and Ball, and the running game is the Broncos' primary offensive issue entering 2013. Then again, it had to be. It couldn't have been the passing game.

Any particular reason Denver scheduled the entire NFC West for the preseason? Coincidence or some scouting for the 2014 season?-- Matt, Austin, Texas

Matt - To be clear, the NFL sets the Broncos' schedule, not the Broncos. Logistical convenience is the primary reason for the preseason play against the NFC West. The Broncos almost always play the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth preseason game. And yes, this is a regular season when the Broncos don't play against the NFC West division. Rarely do teams meet in both the preseason and regular season in the same year.

Were there any pleasant surprises out of organized team activities?-- Geoff, Denver

Geoff - I wrote about the surprises on June 15. David Bruton getting some time at first-team safety; Julius Thomas getting some time at first-team tight end; the high-speed offensive tempo; and Hillman's ability to stay atop the tailback depth chart were among the Broncos' most "pleasant" surprises of the offseason.

Hello from Brazil, Mr. Klis! How are you? What is the situation of the free-agent players who signed one-year deals with the Broncos last season? Are they all gone or are any of them coming back this season?-- Felippe Esteves, Rio de Janeiro

Felippe - I'd rather be in Rio de Janeiro, if that answers your first question. But as the old philosopher Joe Walsh once reminded me, "I can't complain but sometimes I still do."

As for your Broncos-related questions, Dan Koppen is back at center after Walton suffered a setback with his ankle injury. Slot receiver Brandon Stokley, defensive tackle Justin Bannan and linebacker Keith Brooking remain free agents. Cornerback Tracy Porter was set free and signed with Oakland, and safety Jim Leonhard is now with New Orleans.

Third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie, a former CSU Ram, was on a two-year deal but was released after one. Running back Jacob Hester also signed a two-year deal and is back for the second year.

Why is Joe Mays not included in the articles about the middle linebacker competition? Have the Broncos already ruled him out as a starter, or does it have something to do with his injury last season?-- Greg N., Bozeman, Mont.

Greg - Mays was mostly held back from 11-on-11 sessions during the offseason because of the season-ending left ankle injury he suffered against New Orleans last year.

It's going to be difficult for Mays to make the roster because of the $4 million salary he is owed a year after he was demoted from the starting lineup. Then again there is a $500,000 guarantee against that salary, so it could be worse.

Mays is one of the best guys in the NFL, let alone the Broncos, so whatever happens in his future — whether it be in Denver, another NFL city or life after football — we hope he never loses his good mood.

Mike: Eric Decker has shown himself to be a dependable, aggressive, amazing receiver and exciting go-to guy. Last year he was paid a pittance compared to many of the other high-profile players. What is his earning situation for this coming season?-- Jerry Gates, Anchorage, Alaska

Jerry - You nailed it. The way the NFL economic system is constructed, if you're a productive young player but not a first- or second-round draft pick, you will be underpaid through your first four seasons.

Decker was a third-round draft pick in 2010, so he played on a $540,000 salary in 2012, when he had 85 catches. Don't feel too sorry for Decker, though.

With the leverage of free agency after this season, another productive year will put him in position to receive a rich, multiyear contract extension from the Broncos starting in 2014. And he's the star of an E! Network reality show, along with his wife Jessie James. The show is scheduled to air its first program in late summer, or just in time for his teammates to gather in the locker room and critique it.

Maybe we should feel sorry for him.

Every year we want some promising young player to stay on the gameday roster. So why do we have a roster spot for a long snapper? We have only 53 roster spots — and two of those are kickers. Is it too much to ask of the center, or another backup lineman, to handle the duties so the team doesn't simply waste a roster spot? Thank you.-- Chris Evans, Mesa, Ariz.

Chris - There it is. Definitive proof there is no subject, no player, no position — no matter how trivial — that is not studied by this group of mailbaggers.

You make a great point, Chris. Apparently, long-snapping is a more specialized skill than we think. Besides snapping the ball a long ways, I have been told the ball must also be snapped with velocity and accuracy.

The special-teams center must also be sturdy enough to absorb, with head down, cheap shots from interior defensive linemen. And then be athletic enough to run down and make the occasional tackle.

Apparently it takes more skill — and hours of practice — than a regular center usually has. In fact, the Broncos' backup long snapper used to be backup tight end Tony Scheffler and is now starting tight end Joel Dreessen, who had been a first-team long snapper with the Houston Texans.

Mike - Could you please apologize to Brock Osweiler and Brian Griese for me? I mean well. While on spring break in Scottsdale, Ariz., with my family (three boys age 10, 8, and 7), we saw Brock in a local restaurant. I called him over — I never do that; my wife cringed — and told him we were big Broncos fans. Brock could not have been cooler. He asked my boys all about our vacation and spent 2-3 minutes talking to them about their football teams and positions. I hope he becomes as great a QB as he seems to be a person on first impression. I was very impressed with his sincerity. More on Brock in a minute ...

Earlier in the week, we were in our hotel pool, and I spotted Brian Griese playing in the water with his little boy — no joke. I broke the ice — I guess I am that guy — by accidentally offending him. My youngest threw the rubber football toward Brian, and I said to my son, "Don't throw it to that guy. He doesn't know how to throw a football." Yep, that was my intro. Brian laughed and we talked a bit. He was also very cool but probably perturbed by my opening line. I told him I was a fan but if I'm being truthful, I should have said he could throw really, really well from the pocket with time, just not on the run under pressure. For the record, I supported his promotion over Bubby Brister.

Back to Brock. I told him Colorado had more sunny days than Arizona and he'd really enjoy spring golf in his new state, something he was truly excited to hear. There are 6 inches of snow outside as I write in early May. Please tell him I'm sorry. I'll buy him a round of golf? Maybe Brian can join (probably not)?

Please come along, too. We actually have history. Last fall, I called you Jeff (Legwold) in the Boston airport-security line the Monday morning after we both witnessed Tom Brady run the fastest hurry-up offense in the history of football. Sorry about that, too. I'll step up my game in the coming year as requested by Mr. John Elway for all Broncos (including fans).

That guy, I guess.

-- That guy, Centennial

You're right. As you were splashing in the pool with Brian Griese, it would have been much better if your opening line was, "He could throw really, really well from the pocket with time, just not on the run under pressure."

Criminy. Don't beat yourself up too bad, though. You're hardly alone. What is it about the presence of celebrity that twists us all into lower forms?

Speaking of celebrities, I wish I was awake when you referred to me as Jeff Legwold while we were in the Boston airport-security line. Because what I should have said was: "Oh. You're THAT guy!"

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford, who hasn't pitched for the team since last Wednesday, was forced to leave spring training camp after his 2-year-old son was bit by a rattlesnake twice in his right foot.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

DETROIT (AP) — In a story March 27 about a 'Little Syria' exhibit going to Ellis Island, The Associated Press, due to incorrect information from the Arab American National Museum, erroneously reported the date the exhibit will open. Full Story